Jailbreaking your iPod Touch or iPhone

1. Get a computer with Internet access, your iPod Touch or iPhone, and the USB cable that connects your iPod Touch or iPhone to your computer. You need your iDevice (aka iPod Touch or iPhone) connected to the Internet too, preferably Wi-Fi.
2. Go to the blackra1n site and download the jailbreaker.
3. Execute the jailbreaker.
4. Once done, go on your iDevice and press on the black raindrop. Select Cydia from the list.
5. Let Cydia install, and away you go!

1. As said above, you need all that. Another helpful program is WinSCP. You can get it at http://sourceforge.net/projects/winscp/files/WinSCP/4.2.5/winscp425setup.exe/download . This program allows you to SSH (look inside) your iDevice. I'll explain how to use it later.
2. Depending on your device, you may need jailbreaking programs compatible with your current iDevice's software. Go to Wikipedia's list of jailbreaking programs to find your iDevice's needed jailbreaking program.
   1. If your iDevice's software is (at the time that this was written) 3.1.2, go to the blackra1n page. Click on your computer's OS (either Windows or Mac) and download. Save to desktop (you may want to copy it to another portion of your hard drive or to a disc in case the jailbreak was undone).
   2. Make sure your iDevice is connected both to your computer and the Internet.
3. Click on the blackra1n.exe icon that is on your desktop. Several instructional screens will come up. Follow the instructions, they are straightforward. Do not disconnect your iDevice during this process.
   1. When it says it is done (and the button in the screen will not click) you can close the program and disconnect your iDevice from your computer.
   2. Note: get the jailbreak program ONLY from blackra1n.com. I have heard of friends getting viruses onto their computer and their iDevice from fake jailbreaking programs. This site is genuine and comes directly from the jailbreaking author himself.
4. Turn on your iDevice and you will notice a new app with the black raindrop (the same icon as the exe program on your computer). Press it. A menu will come up forcing you to choose which secondary app provider you wish to install. Select Cydia from the list (It has more stuff). You must be connected to the Internet through Wi-Fi during this step. Let it install. An MS-DOS-like screen may come up, this is natural when using Cydia or any other third-party apps and executables.
5. Once it is finished, you will notice a brownish icon with an open box. This is the Cydai app. It's kinda like the App Store...except it's (mostly) free! You can change system settings, themes, ringtones, fonts, etc. Lots more enjoyment with your iDevice is sure to come.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Unless a serious system failure happens on your iDevice, DO NOT SELECT "RESTORE" FROM INSIDE iTUNES. YOU WILL REMOVE THE JAILBREAK (IT WILL BE UNJAILBROKEN). YOU WILL NEED TO REPEAT THE STEPS ABOVE TO REJAILBREAK YOUR iDEVICE.
• Watch out for blue-fonted programs while browsing in Cydia. These are paid programs. Black-fonted programs are free. You should know when selecting a program's description, the top-right button will be "install" on free programs and "purchase" on paid programs, with a color change. Also in the description is a notification in orange telling you the price.
• You may have heard that you can get free apps that are paid for in the App Store. Cydia does not do this. Installous does. (enter the source code "http://cydia.hackulo.us" (no quotations) and you will have a new list of programs, one of which is Installous. Also suggested is Hackulo Security, a security measure.)
• Some people say jailbreaking is illegal. According to Wikipedia, jailbreaking is not, I repeat, not illegal, since you bought the iDevice and so you can do anything you want with it. Installing Cydia and its programs are also not illegal, including installing Installous. But downloading apps for free that are paid for in the App Store is illegal and you are at risk of being prosecuted. (though other sites such as "Ask so-and-so" have said "Why waste the time to catch every single offender? Catch the ones that will directly affect the app provider's business (aka people who illegally sell their apps for their own profit).")